Aaron Finch thinks that being left out of Australia’s Test squad for the two-match tour of Sri Lanka would mean an end to all-rounder Mitchell Marsh’s likely red-ball international career. Australia announced a 16-member squad on Thursday (January 9) for the tour, leaving Marsh out in favor of Beau Webster and Cooper Connolly.
He had a horrible home series against India with just 73 runs from four Tests at an average of 10.43 and was asked to bowl a mere 33 overs despite the injury problems concerning Australia. Dropped for the fifth Test in Sydney, his replacement Webster produced a couple of match-winning cameos of 57 and 39*, as well as a wicket.
“I think it would be very difficult for Mitch to get back into the side now,” said Finch on ESPN’s Around the Wicket show, adding, “There is not a huge heap of cricket left in this summer to push your case with Cameron Green coming back in early March. For me, it would be unlikely (he ever plays again),” said the ex-skipper.
The first was a great chance for Marsh, as he could now finally have an opportunity to stake his claim for the Test squad owing to Green’s absence, who had undergone surgery before the BGT and after his return would now compete with Webster to regain entry.
Webster and Connolly can both ball spin and might be used to sweeten the Australian squad for Sri Lanka.
Australia will host South Africa in the 2025 World Test Championship final to be held at Lord’s between June 11 and 15, following the Sri Lanka series. After that, their next challenge would be the home Ashes scheduled for November.
Meanwhile, Marsh has returned to the Big Bash League
If anything, hopefully, (playing for the Scorchers) would free Mitch up,” said Perth Scorchers coach Adam Voges. “International cricket is such high pressure, and Test cricket and an Indian series just adds to that. We’d love to have him back in orange and see if he can smack a few balls around here. All added up, it could provide a bit of solace.”
And even though he had a duck in return to the Scorchers, the team still has three more group-stage matches ahead in the season and is also looking for a playoff berth.
